Projection lens barrel and projection display device

ABSTRACT

In order to provide a projection lens barrel and a projection display device that are capable of correcting the optical characteristics of a plurality of lens groups, a projection lens barrel, comprising a lens optical system causing light from an image display element to be formed as a projected image on a screen, also comprises correction mechanisms that move each of at least two lens groups along an optical axis and correct the optical characteristics to be corrected, said lens groups each having different optical characteristics for correction in order to suppress reduction in image quality of a projected image caused by changes in optical characteristics caused by temperature changes in the projection lens barrel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C.371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2015/074251, filed on Aug.27, 2015 and published in Japanese as WO 2016/059890 A1 on Apr. 21, 2016which is based on and claims the benefit of priority from JapanesePatent Application No. 2014-211091 filed Oct. 15, 2014. The entiredisclosures of all of the above applications are incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a projection lens barrel and aprojection display device.

BACKGROUND ART

A projection lens barrel of a projection display device is heated bylight from a light source. There has been known a problem that when theprojection lens barrel increases in temperature by this heating, opticalcharacteristics of the projection lens barrel change to cause reductionin image quality of a projected image. JP 2008-26864A discloses aprojection lens barrel including a correction mechanism that correctsthe position of a lens group so as to correct a focal length thatchanges due to an increase in temperature of the projection lens barrel.However, regarding the reduction in image quality of a projected imagecaused by the increase in temperature of the projection lens barrel, theimage quality reduces not only due to changes in a focal point but alsodue to other changes in optical characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a projection lensbarrel and a projection display device that are capable of correctingoptical characteristics of a plurality of lens groups.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a projection lens barrelincludes a lens optical system causing light from an image displayelement to be formed as a projected image on a screen and includescorrection mechanisms that move each of at least two or more lens groupsalong an optical axis, the lens groups each having different opticalcharacteristics to be corrected in order to suppress reduction in imagequality of the projected image caused by changes in opticalcharacteristics caused by temperature changes in the projection lensbarrel, and correct the optical characteristics to be corrected.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, out of the two ormore lens groups having the correction mechanisms, at least the one lensgroup is a back focus correcting lens group capable of correcting backfocus as the optical characteristics to be corrected, and the other atleast one lens group is a field curvature correcting lens group capableof correcting field curvature as the optical characteristics to becorrected.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, a lens group thatis moved for focusing is the field curvature correcting lens group.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the fieldcurvature correcting lens group is disposed on a screen side withrespect to the back focus correcting lens group.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the correctionmechanism is provided on at least one lens group out of lens groupsdisposed on an image display element side with respect to a stop of theprojection lens barrel.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, at least the onelens group is a lens group adjacent to the stop.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, the stop isdisposed inside a casing of a projection display device to which theprojection lens barrel is attached.

Further, in addition to the above-described invention, out of thecorrection mechanisms, at least the one correction mechanism is providedon a lens group that is disposed on a place which is a screen side withrespect to a lens group adjacent to a stop of the projection lens barrelon the screen side, and the place which is outside of a casing of aprojection display device to which the projection lens barrel isattached.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the projection lensbarrel of the projection display device is set to the above-describedprojection lens barrel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a configuration of a projection lensbarrel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a holding structure portion of a secondlens group of the projection lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1 in anenlarged manner.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a holding structure portion of a fourthlens group of the projection lens barrel illustrated in FIG. 1 in anenlarged manner.

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a configuration of a projection lensbarrel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a configuration of a projection lensbarrel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a configuration of a lens group forming anintermediate image between lenses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, there will be explained a projection lens barrel 100according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference tothe drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining a configuration of the projection lensbarrel 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of, of a crosssection including an optical axis X of the projection lens barrel 100,the one-sided cross section across the optical axis X. In FIG. 1, lightfrom a not-illustrated image display element travels from the right tothe left of the projection lens barrel 100 and exits to the left fromthe projection lens barrel 100. The light exited from the projectionlens barrel 100 is projected onto a not-illustrated screen.

In the following explanation, the explanation is made with the travelingdirection of light passing through the projection lens barrel 100 set tothe front (front side) and the direction opposite thereto set to therear (rear side). Incidentally, in each of the drawings to be explainedbelow including FIG. 1, hatching of a cross-sectional portion is omittedas necessary in order to make the drawing understandable.

(Schematic Configuration of the Projection Lens Barrel 100)

The projection lens barrel 100 has a lens optical system 2 and a lensbarrel 3. The lens optical system 2 has a first lens group 4, a secondlens group 5, a third lens group 6, a fourth lens group 7, and a fifthlens group 8 sequentially from the front. The first lens group 4, thethird lens group 6, and the fourth lens group 7 each are a fixed lens.The second lens group 5 and the fifth lens group 8 each are a movablelens. Incidentally, a configuration of each of the lens groupsillustrated in the drawing is simplified, and the actual lens opticalsystem 2 is configured appropriately according to required opticalcharacteristics.

The second lens group 5 is moved for the following three purposes. Thefirst purpose is that the second lens group 5 is moved in order toperform positioning of the second lens group 5 so that the projectionlens barrel 100 can be set to have predetermined optical characteristicsin an adjusting process, which is one process out of assembly processesof the projection lens barrel 100. The second purpose is that the secondlens group 5 is moved in order to perform focus adjustment of an imagewhen the projection lens barrel 100 forms a projected image on a screen.The third purpose is that the second lens group 5 is moved in order tocorrect deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 100 when the projection lensbarrel 100 projects a projected image onto a screen.

The fifth lens group 8 is moved in order to correct deviation of backfocus caused by an increase in temperature of the projection lens barrel100 when the projection lens barrel 100 projects a projected image ontoa screen.

The lens barrel 3 has a flange part 9, a fixed barrel 10, a straightguide barrel 11, a first cam barrel 12, a second cam barrel 13, a rotaryring 14, and so on. The flange part 9 functions as an attaching partattaching the projection lens barrel 100 to a casing 15 of anot-illustrated projection display device. The fixed barrel 10 is fixedto the flange part 9 by a screw 16. The straight guide barrel 11, thefirst cam barrel 12, the second cam barrel 13, the rotary ring 14, andso on are attached to the fixed barrel 10. The first cam barrel 12 andthe rotary ring 14 are disposed on an outer periphery of the fixedbarrel 10. The straight guide barrel 11 is disposed on an innerperiphery of the fixed barrel 10. The second cam barrel 13 is disposedon an inner periphery of the straight guide barrel 11.

(Holding Structure of the First Lens Group 4)

The first lens group 4 is held by a first lens group holding frame 17.The first lens group holding frame 17 is attached and fixed to a frontend portion of the fixed barrel 10 by a screw 18. Thereby, the firstlens group 4 held by the first lens group holding frame 17 is fixed tothe fixed barrel 10.

(Holding Structure of the Second Lens Group 5)

There will be explained a holding structure of the second lens group 5with reference to FIG. 2 in addition to FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a viewillustrating a holding structure portion of the second lens group 5 ofthe projection lens barrel 100 in an enlarged manner.

The second lens group 5 is held by a second lens group holding frame 19.The second lens group 5 is attached to the second cam barrel 13 via thesecond lens group holding frame 19 and an outer peripheral barrel 20. Apin 19A protruding forward is provided at a front end portion of thesecond lens group holding frame 19. A flange part 20A protruding inward(to the optical axis X side) is formed at a front end portion of theouter peripheral barrel 20. In the flange part 20A, a hole portion 20Ballowing the pin 19A to be guided movably in a forward and rearwarddirection is formed. That is, the second lens group holding frame 19 iscoupled to the outer peripheral barrel 20 in a state of being guidedmovably in the forward and rearward direction by the pin 19A beinginserted into the hole portion 20B. The pin 19A is passed through a coilof a coil spring 19B, and the coil spring 19B applies force against theflange part 20A to thrust the second lens group holding frame 19rearward.

Between the second lens group holding frame 19 and the outer peripheralbarrel 20 disposed on an outer periphery of the second lens groupholding frame 19, a thermal deforming frame 41 is disposed. At the frontend portion of the second lens group holding frame 19, a flange part 19Cprotruding to the outer periphery side (side going away from the opticalaxis X) is formed. Further, at a rear end portion of the outerperipheral barrel 20, a flange part 20C protruding inward is formed.

The thermal deforming frame 41 is disposed between the second lens groupholding frame 19 and the outer peripheral barrel 20 in a state of havinga front end thereof abut on the flange part 19C and having a rear endthereof abut on the flange part 20C. As described above, the second lensgroup holding frame 19 is thrusted rearward by the coil spring 19B.Therefore, the thermal deforming frame 41 is sandwiched between theflange part 19C of the second lens group holding frame 19 and the flangepart 20C of the outer peripheral barrel 20 in a state of being thrustedrearward.

The thermal deformation frame 41 is formed of a material such as POM(polyoxymethylene) having a linear expansion coefficient larger thanthat of the other members configuring the lens barrel 3, for example.The fixed barrel 10, the straight guide barrel 11, the first cam barrel12, the second cam barrel 13, and the rotary ring 14, which configurethe lens barrel 3, are each formed of a material such as aluminum havinga linear expansion coefficient smaller than that of POM.

On the outer peripheral barrel 20, a first cam follower 21 is provided(see FIG. 1). The first cam follower 21 engages with a second cam groove22 formed in the second cam barrel 13 and a straight guide groove 23formed in the straight guide barrel 11.

The straight guide barrel 11 and the rotary ring 14 are integrallycoupled via a cam follower 24. The cam follower 24 is inserted in agroove 25 formed in the fixed barrel 10. The groove 25 is a groove thatpasses through the fixed barrel 10 between its inner periphery and itsouter periphery and is parallel to a circumferential direction of theoptical axis X. Therefore, the straight guide barrel 11 and the rotaryring 14 can rotate along the circumferential direction of the opticalaxis X with the cam follower 24 being guided by the groove 25.Incidentally, the rotation of the straight guide barrel 11 and therotary ring 14 in the circumferential direction is performed in theadjusting process of the assembly processes of the projection lensbarrel 100, and after completion of the adjusting process, the rotaryring 14 is fixed to the fixed barrel 10 by a pin 37.

At a front end portion of the second cam barrel 13, a second camfollower 26 is provided. The second cam follower 26 engages with astraight guide groove 27 formed in the fixed barrel 10 and a second camgroove 28 formed in the first cam barrel 12.

On the fixed barrel 10, a cam follower 29 protruding to the outerperiphery is provided. In the first cam barrel 12, a groove 30 is formedin which the cam follower 29 is inserted. The groove 30 is a groove thatpasses through the first cam barrel 12 between its inner periphery andits outer periphery and is parallel to the circumferential direction ofthe optical axis X. Therefore, the first cam barrel 12 can rotate alongthe circumferential direction of the optical axis X with the camfollower 29 being guided by the groove 30.

On an outer periphery of the first cam barrel 12, a decorative ring 31is provided, and the decorative ring 31 is integrally coupled to thefirst cam barrel 12 by a screw 32. Therefore, when a user (operator) ofthe projection lens barrel 100 rotates the decorative ring 31 in thecircumferential direction of the optical axis X, the first cam barrel 12also rotates integrally with the decorative ring 31.

(Holding Structure of the Third Lens Group 6)

The third lens group 6 is held by a third lens group holding frame 33.The third lens group holding frame 33 is attached and fixed to the fixedbarrel 10 by a screw 34. Thereby, the third lens group 6 held by thethird lens group holding frame 33 is fixed to the fixed barrel 10.

(Holding Structure of the Fourth Lens Group 7)

There will be explained a holding structure of the fourth lens group 7with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a viewillustrating a holding structure portion of the fourth lens group 7 ofthe projection lens barrel 100 in an enlarged manner.

The fourth lens group 7 is held by a fourth lens group holding frame 35.The fourth lens group holding frame 35 is attached to the fixed barrel10. At a front end portion of the fourth lens group holding frame 35, aflange part 35A protruding outward (to the side going away from theoptical axis X) is formed. The flange part 35A is fixed to the fixedbarrel 10 by a screw 36, and the fourth lens group holding frame 35 isattached to the fixed barrel 10 in a fixed state. Thereby, the fourthlens group 7 held by the third lens group holding frame 33 is fixed tothe fixed barrel 10.

(Holding Structure of the Fifth Lens Group 8)

There will be explained a holding structure of the fifth lens group 8with reference to FIG. 3 in addition to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a viewillustrating a holding structure portion of the second lens group 5 ofthe projection lens barrel 100 in an enlarged manner.

The fifth lens group 8 is held by a fifth lens group holding frame 38and is attached to the fixed barrel 10 via the fifth lens group holdingframe 38 and the fourth lens group holding frame 35. At a front endportion of the fifth lens group holding frame 38, a pin 37 protrudingforward is provided.

In the flange part 35A, a hole portion 35B allowing the pin 37 to beguided movably in the forward and rearward direction is formed. That is,the fifth lens group holding frame 38 is coupled to the fourth lensgroup holding frame 35 in a state of being guided movably in the forwardand rearward direction by the pin 37 being inserted into the holeportion 35B. The pin 37 is passed through a coil of a coil spring 37A,and the coil spring 37A applies force against the flange part 35A tothrust the fifth lens group holding frame 38 rearward.

Between the fourth lens group holding frame 35 and the fifth lens groupholding frame 38, a thermal deforming frame 42 is disposed. At a rearend portion of the fourth lens group holding frame 35, a step surface35C facing forward is formed. The thermal deformation frame 42 isdisposed between the fourth lens group holding frame 35 and the fifthlens group holding frame 38 in a state of having a front end thereofabut on the flange part 38A and having a rear end thereof abut on thestep surface 35C. The fifth lens group holding frame 38 is thrustedrearward by the coil spring 37A. Therefore, the thermal deforming frame42 is sandwiched between the flange part 38A of the fifth lens groupholding frame 38 and the step surface 35C of the fourth lens groupholding frame 35 in a state of being thrusted rearward.

The thermal deforming frame 42 is, similarly to the thermal deformingframe 41, formed of, for example, POM as a material having a linearexpansion coefficient larger than that of the other members configuringthe lens barrel 3.

(Movement of the Second Lens Group 5)

Regarding the movements of the second lens group 5, there will beexplained movement for adjustment that is performed in the assemblyprocesses of the projection lens barrel 100 and movement for performingfocus adjustment when the projection lens barrel 100 forms a projectedimage on a screen.

The movement at the adjusting process of the assembly processes can beperformed by rotating the rotary ring 14. The rotary ring 14 is rotatedin a state where the second cam barrel 13 is stopped rotating by using ajig or the like so as not to rotate about the optical axis X. At thistime, the straight guide barrel 11 integrally coupled to the rotary ring14 via the cam follower 24 also rotates together.

When the straight guide barrel 11 rotates, the straight guide barrelgroove 23 moves in the circumferential direction of the optical axis Xto move the first cam follower 21 engaging with the straight guidebarrel groove 23 in the circumferential direction. Thereby, the firstcam follower 21 engaging with the second cam groove 22 is moved forwardand rearward along the shape of the second cam groove 22 while beingguided by the second cam groove 22. That is, when the rotary ring 14 isrotated, the outer peripheral barrel 20 having the first cam follower 21provided thereon is moved forward and rearward along the shape of thesecond cam groove 22. Then, the second lens group 5 held by the outerperipheral barrel 20 via the second lens group holding frame 19 alsomoves forward and rearward along the second cam groove 22 together withthe outer peripheral barrel 20. After the adjustment of the second lensgroup 5 at the adjusting process is completed, the rotary ring 14 isfixed to the fixed barrel 10 by the pin 37.

The movement at the focus adjustment can be performed by rotating thedecorative ring 31 fixed to the first cam barrel 12. When the decorativering 31 is rotated, the first cam barrel 12 is rotated. When the firstcam barrel 12 rotates, the second cam follower 26 whose movement in thecircumferential direction of the optical axis X is restricted by thestraight guide barrel groove 27 moves forward and rearward along theshape of the second cam groove 28. That is, the second cam barrel 13having the second cam follower 26 provided thereon moves forward andrearward along the shape of the second cam groove 28.

When the second cam barrel 13 moves forward and rearward, the second camgroove 22 formed in the second cam barrel 13 also moves forward andrearward. The first cam follower 21 engages with the second cam groove22. Therefore, when the second cam groove 22 moves forward and rearward,the first cam follower 21 also moves forward and rearward and the outerperipheral barrel 20 having the first cam follower 21 provided thereonalso moves. Then, the second lens group holding frame 19 coupled to theouter peripheral barrel 20 also moves together with the outer peripheralbarrel 20, and the second lens group 5 held by the second lens groupholding frame 19 moves. That is, when the decorative ring 31 is rotated,the second lens group 5 moves forward and rearward along the shape ofthe second cam groove 28.

(Correction Mechanisms 39 and 40)

In the projection lens barrel 100, a correction mechanism 39 and acorrection mechanism 40 are provided. The correction mechanism 39 isprovided on the second lens group 5, and mainly has a function ofcorrecting deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 100. Further, the correctionmechanism 40 is provided on the fifth lens group 8, and mainly has afunction of correcting change of back focus caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 100.

(Correction Mechanism 39)

The correction mechanism 39 has the second lens group holding frame 19,the outer peripheral barrel 20, the pin 19A, the coil spring 19B, thethermal deforming frame 41, and so on. When the projection lens barrel100 is heated to increase in temperature, the thermal deformation frame41 expands in the forward and rearward direction according to theincreased temperature to move the second lens group holding frame 19forward while resisting a thrust force of the coil spring 19B. By thismovement of the second lens group holding frame 19, the second lensgroup 5 moves, and thereby the correction of field curvature is mainlyperformed. The linear expansion coefficient, volume, and the like of thethermal deforming frame 41 are set so that a correction amount of thecorrection mechanism 39 coincides with a correction amount necessary forthe field curvature corresponding to the temperature of the projectionlens barrel 100.

(Correction Mechanism 40)

The correction mechanism 40 has the fourth lens group holding frame 35,the fifth lens group holding frame 38, the pin 37, the coil spring 37A,the thermal deforming frame 42, and so on. When the projection lensbarrel 100 is heated to increase in temperature, the thermal deformingframe 42 expands in the forward and rearward direction according to theincreased temperature to move the fifth lens group holding frame 38forward while resisting a thrust force of the coil spring 37A. By thismovement of the fourth lens group holding frame 35, the second lensgroup 5 moves, and thereby the correction of back focus is mainlyperformed. The linear expansion coefficient, volume, and the like of thethermal deforming frame 42 are set so that a correction amount of thecorrection mechanism 40 coincides with a correction amount necessary forthe back focus corresponding to the temperature of the projection lensbarrel 100.

(Principal Effects of the First Embodiment)

The projection lens barrel 100 according to the first embodimentincludes the lens optical system 2 that causes light from anot-illustrated image display element to be formed as a projected imageon a not-illustrated screen. The second lens group 5 and the fifth lensgroup 8 have different optical characteristics to be corrected (to bedescribed as “elements to be corrected” hereinafter) in order tosuppress reduction in image quality of the projected image as a resultof changes in optical characteristics caused by temperature changes inthe projection lens barrel 100. The second lens group 5 of theprojection lens barrel 100 is a field curvature correcting lens group,and is a lens group capable of effectively correcting the fieldcurvature as compared to the other lens groups. In the meantime, thefifth lens group 8 is a back focus correcting lens group, and is a lensgroup capable of effectively correcting the back focus as compared tothe other lens groups. Then, the projection lens barrel 100 includes thecorrection mechanism 39 on the second lens group 5, and further includesthe correction mechanism 40 also on the fifth lens group 8.

As described above, providing the correction mechanism on each of thesecond lens group 5 and the fifth lens group 8 makes it possible toindividually move the second lens group 5 and the fifth lens group 8along the optical axis X and correct the field curvature and the backfocus as the elements to be corrected. Further, the projection lensbarrel 100 includes the correction mechanism 39 on the second lens group5 that is capable of effectively correcting the field curvature ascompared to the other lens groups, and includes the correction mechanism40 on the fifth lens group 8 that is capable of effectively correctingthe back focus as compared to the other lens groups.

In this manner, the correction mechanism is individually provided on thelens group capable of effectively correcting the element to be correctedthat is desired to be corrected, thereby making it possible toeffectively correct the changes in optical characteristics caused whenthe projection lens barrel 100 increases in temperature. In contrast tothis, if only the single element to be corrected is set as an object tobe corrected with the single lens group tentatively, there is a riskthat due to the correction of the single element to be corrected,another element to be corrected becomes serious. The projection lensbarrel 100 includes the correction mechanism on each of the lens groupsintended for the elements to be corrected, to thus be able to correctthe elements to be corrected effectively.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a view for explaining a configuration of a projection lensbarrel 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention,and is a view illustrating a schematic configuration of, of a crosssection including an optical axis X of the projection lens barrel 200,the one-sided cross section across the optical axis X. The same forwardand rearward direction as in FIG. 1 is applied, and the same referencenumerals and symbols are added to the same components as those of theprojection lens barrel 100, and their explanations are omitted orsimplified.

(Schematic Configuration of the Projection Lens Barrel 200)

The projection lens barrel 200 has a lens optical system 202 and a lensbarrel 203. The lens optical system 202 has a first lens group 204, asecond lens group 205, a third lens group 206, a fourth lens group 207,a fifth lens group 208, and a sixth lens group 209 sequentially from thefront. The first lens group 204, the third lens group 206, and the sixthlens group 209 each are a fixed lens. The second lens group 205, thefourth lens group 207, and the fifth lens group 208 each are a movablelens. Incidentally, a configuration of each of the lens groupsillustrated in the drawing is simplified, and the actual lens opticalsystem 202 is configured appropriately according to required opticalcharacteristics.

The second lens group 205 is moved for the following two purposes. Thefirst purpose is that the second lens group 205 is moved in order toperform positioning of the second lens group 205 so that the projectionlens barrel 200 can be set to have predetermined optical characteristicsin an adjusting process, which is one process out of assembly processesof the projection lens barrel 200. The second purpose is that the secondlens group 205 is moved in order to perform focus adjustment of an imagewhen the projection lens barrel 200 forms a projected image on a screen.

The fourth lens group 207 is moved in order to correct back focusdeviation caused by an increase in temperature of the projection lensbarrel 200 when the projection lens barrel 200 projects a projectedimage onto a screen. The fifth lens group 208 is moved in order tocorrect deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 200 when the projection lensbarrel 200 projects a projected image onto a screen.

The second lens group 205 is held by a second lens group holding frame19. On the second lens group holding frame 19, a first cam follower 21that engages with a second cam groove 22 formed in a second cam barrel13 and a straight guide groove 23 formed in a straight guide barrel 11is provided. Thereby, the second lens group 205 can move by rotationallyoperating a rotary ring 14 at the adjusting process of the assemblyprocesses, thereby making it possible to set the projection lens barrel200 to have predetermined optical characteristics.

On the fourth lens group 207, a correction mechanism 216 is provided.The correction mechanism 216 mainly has a function of correcting backfocus deviation caused by an increase in temperature of the projectionlens barrel 200. The correction mechanism 216 has a fourth lens groupholding frame 210, a thermal deforming frame 211, and so on. The fourthlens group 207 is held by the fourth lens group holding frame 210. Thethermal deforming frame 211 is integrally attached to the fourth lensgroup holding frame 210. The fourth lens group holding frame 210 isattached to a rear end side of the thermal deforming frame 211, and afront end portion of the thermal deforming frame 211 is attached to athird lens group holding frame 33 by a screw 212. The thermal deformingframe 211 is fixed to the third lens group holding frame 33.

When the projection lens barrel 200 is heated to increase intemperature, the thermal deforming frame 211 expands in the forward andrearward direction according to the increased temperature to move thefourth lens group 207 rearward. By this movement of the fourth lensgroup 207, the fourth lens group 207 moves, and thereby the correctionof back focus is mainly performed. A linear expansion coefficient,volume, and the like of the thermal deforming frame 211 are set so thata correction amount of the correction mechanism 216 coincides with acorrection amount necessary for the back focus corresponding to thetemperature of the projection lens barrel 200.

On the fifth lens group 208, a correction mechanism 217 is provided. Thecorrection mechanism 217 mainly moves the fifth lens group 208 in orderto correct deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 200. The correction mechanism217 has a fifth lens group holding frame 214, a thermal deforming frame215, an outer peripheral barrel 214A, and so on.

The thermal deforming frame 215 and the outer peripheral barrel 214A aredisposed on an outer periphery of the thermal deformation frame 211. Thefifth lens group 208 is held by the fifth lens group holding frame 214.The fifth lens group holding frame 214 is held on an inner periphery ofa sixth lens group holding frame 213 in a state of being guided movablyin the forward and rearward direction. The thermal deforming frame 215is disposed at a front side of the fifth lens group holding frame 214.The outer peripheral barrel 214A is disposed at a front side of thethermal deformation frame 215. A front end portion of the outerperipheral barrel 214A is attached and fixed to a front end portion ofthe sixth lens group holding frame 213 by a screw 219.

On the sixth lens group holding frame 213, a step surface 213A facingforward is formed at a position facing a rear end surface of the fifthlens group holding frame 214. Between the step surface 213A and the rearend surface of the fifth lens group holding frame 214, a wave washer214B is provided. The wave washer 214B applies force against the stepsurface 213A of the sixth lens group holding frame 213 to thrust thefifth lens group holding frame 214 forward. Therefore, the thermaldeforming frame 215 is sandwiched between the sixth lens group holdingframe 213 and the outer peripheral barrel 214A in a state of beingthrusted forward.

When the projection lens barrel 200 is heated to increase intemperature, the thermal deforming frame 215 expands in the forward andrearward direction according to the increased temperature to move thefifth lens group 208 rearward while resisting a thrust force of the wavewasher 214B. By this movement of the fifth lens group 208, the fifthlens group 208 moves, and thereby the correction of field curvature ismainly performed. A linear expansion coefficient, volume, and the likeof the thermal deforming frame 215 are set so that a correction amountof the correction mechanism 217 coincides with a correction amountnecessary for the field curvature corresponding to the temperature ofthe projection lens barrel 200. Incidentally, the thermal deformingframe 211 and the thermal deforming frame 215 are formed of a materialsuch as POM having a linear expansion coefficient larger than that ofthe other members configuring the lens barrel 303.

(Principal Effects of the Second Embodiment)

The projection lens barrel 200 according to the second embodimentincludes the lens optical system 202 that causes light from anot-illustrated image display element to be formed as a projected imageon a not-illustrated screen. The fourth lens group 207 and the fifthlens group 208 have different optical characteristics to be corrected(elements to be corrected) in order to suppress reduction in imagequality of the projected image as a result of changes in opticalcharacteristics caused by temperature changes in the projection lensbarrel 200.

The fourth lens group 207 of the projection lens barrel 200 is a backfocus correcting lens group, and is a lens group capable of effectivelycorrecting the back focus as compared to the other lens groups. In themeantime, the fifth lens group 208 is a field curvature correcting lensgroup, and is a lens group capable of effectively correcting the fieldcurvature as compared to the other lens groups. Then, the projectionlens barrel 200 includes the correction mechanism 216 on the fourth lensgroup 207, and further includes the correction mechanism 217 also on thefifth lens group 208.

As described above, providing the correction mechanism on each of thefourth lens group 207 and the fifth lens group 208 makes it possible toindividually move the fourth lens group 207 and the fifth lens group 208along the optical axis X and correct the field curvature and the backfocus as the elements to be corrected. Further, the projection lensbarrel 200 includes the correction mechanism 216 on the fourth lensgroup 207 that is capable of effectively correcting the back focus ascompared to the other lens groups, and includes the correction mechanism217 on the fifth lens group 208 that is capable of effectivelycorrecting the field curvature as compared to the other lens groups. Inthis manner, the correction mechanism is individually provided on thelens group capable of effectively correcting the element to be correctedthat is desired to be corrected, thereby making it possible toeffectively correct the changes in optical characteristics caused whenthe projection lens barrel 200 increases in temperature. In contrast tothis, if only the single element to be corrected is set as an object tobe corrected with the single lens group tentatively, there is a riskthat due to the correction of the single element to be corrected,another element to be corrected becomes serious. The projection lensbarrel 200 includes the correction mechanism on each of the lens groupsintended for the elements to be corrected, to thus be able to correctthe elements to be corrected effectively.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a view for explaining a configuration of a projection lensbarrel 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention, andis a view illustrating a schematic configuration of, of a cross sectionincluding an optical axis X of the projection lens barrel 300, theone-sided cross section across the optical axis X. The same forward andrearward direction as in FIG. 1 is applied, and the same referencenumerals and symbols are added to the same components as those of theprojection lens barrel 100, and their explanations are omitted orsimplified.

(Schematic Configuration of the Projection Lens Barrel 300)

The projection lens barrel 300 has a lens optical system 302 and a lensbarrel 303. The lens optical system 302 has a first lens group 304, asecond lens group 305, a third lens group 306, a fourth lens group 307,and a fifth lens group 308 sequentially from the front. The first lensgroup 304, the fourth lens group 307, and the fifth lens group 308 eachare a fixed lens. The second lens group 305 and the third lens group 306each are a movable lens. Incidentally, a configuration of each of thelens groups illustrated in the drawing is simplified, and the actuallens optical system 302 is configured appropriately according torequired optical characteristics.

The second lens group 305 performs movement for correcting back focusdeviation caused by an increase in temperature of the projection lensbarrel 300 when the projection lens barrel 300 projects a projectedimage onto a screen.

The third lens group 306 can be moved for the following three purposes.The first purpose is that the third lens group 306 is moved in order toperform positioning of the third lens group 306 so that the projectionlens barrel 300 can be set to have predetermined optical characteristicsin an adjusting process, which is one process out of assembly processesof the projection lens barrel 300. The second purpose is that the thirdlens group 306 is moved in order to perform focus adjustment of an imagewhen the projection lens barrel 300 forms a projected image on a screen.The third purpose is that the third lens group 306 is moved in order tocorrect deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 300 when the projection lensbarrel 300 projects a projected image onto a screen.

On the second lens group 305, a correction mechanism 312 is provided.The correction mechanism 312 mainly has a function of correcting backfocus deviation caused by an increase in temperature of the projectionlens barrel 300. The correction mechanism 312 has a second lens groupholding frame 309, a thermal deforming frame 311, and so on. The secondlens group 305 is held by the second lens group holding frame 309. Thesecond lens group holding frame 309 is attached to a first lens groupholding frame 17. At a front end portion of the second lens groupholding frame 309, a pin 310 protruding rearward is provided. At a rearend portion of the first lens group holding frame 17, a flange part 17Aprotruding inward is provided. In the flange part 17A, a hole portion17B allowing the pin 310 to be guided movably in the forward andrearward direction is formed. That is, the second lens group holdingframe 309 is coupled to the first lens group holding frame 17 in a stateof being guided movably in the forward and rearward direction by the pin310 being inserted into the hole portion 17B. The pin 310 is passedthrough a coil of a coil spring 310A, and the coil spring 310A appliesforce against the flange part 17A to thrust the second lens groupholding frame 309 forward.

Between the first lens group holding frame 17 and the second lens groupholding frame 309, the thermal deforming frame 311 is disposed. Thethermal deforming frame 311 has a front end thereof abut on a rear endsurface of the first lens group holding frame 17 and has a rear endthereof abut on the second lens group holding frame 309. The second lensgroup holding frame 309 is thrusted forward by the coil spring 310A.Therefore, the thermal deforming frame 311 is sandwiched between thesecond lens group holding frame 309 and the first lens group holdingframe 17 in a state of being thrusted forward. Incidentally, the thermaldeforming frame 311 is formed of a material such as POM having a linearexpansion coefficient larger than that of the other members configuringthe lens barrel 303.

When the projection lens barrel 300 is heated to increase intemperature, the thermal deforming frame 311 expands in the forward andrearward direction according to the increased temperature to move thesecond lens group holding frame 309 rearward. By this movement of thesecond lens group holding frame 309, the second lens group 305 moves,and thereby the correction of back focus is mainly performed. The linearexpansion coefficient, volume, and the like of the thermal deformingframe 311 are set so that a correction amount of the correctionmechanism 312 coincides with a correction amount necessary for the backfocus corresponding to the temperature of the projection lens barrel300.

On the third lens group 306, a correction mechanism 39 is provided. Bythis correction mechanism 39, the third lens group 306 is moved so as tocorrect deterioration of field curvature caused by an increase intemperature of the projection lens barrel 300.

(Principal Effects of the Third Embodiment)

The projection lens barrel 300 according to the third embodimentincludes the lens optical system 302 that causes light from anot-illustrated image display element to be formed as a projected imageon a not-illustrated screen. The second lens group 305 and the thirdlens group 306 have different optical characteristics to be corrected(to be described as “elements to be corrected” hereinafter) in order tosuppress reduction in image quality of the projected image as a resultof changes in optical characteristics caused by temperature changes inthe projection lens barrel 300. The second lens group 305 of theprojection lens barrel 300 is a back focus correcting lens group, and isa lens group capable of effectively correcting the back focus ascompared to the other lens groups. In the meantime, the third lens group306 is a field curvature correcting lens group, and is a lens groupcapable of effectively correcting the field curvature as compared to theother lens groups. Then, the projection lens barrel 300 includes thecorrection mechanism 312 on the second lens group 305, and furtherincludes the correction mechanism 39 also on the third lens group 306.

As described above, providing the correction mechanism on each of thesecond lens group 305 and the third lens group 306 makes it possible toindividually move the second lens group 305 and the third lens group 306along the optical axis X and correct the field curvature and the backfocus as the elements to be corrected. Further, the projection lensbarrel 300 includes the correction mechanism 312 on the second lensgroup 305 that is capable of effectively correcting the back focus ascompared to the other lens groups, and includes the correction mechanism39 on the third lens group 306 that is capable of effectively correctingthe field curvature as compared to the other lens groups. In thismanner, the correction mechanism is individually provided on the lensgroup capable of effectively correcting the element to be corrected thatis desired to be corrected, thereby making it possible to effectivelycorrect the changes in optical characteristics caused when theprojection lens barrel 300 increases in temperature. In contrast tothis, if only the single element to be corrected is set as an object tobe corrected with the single lens group tentatively, there is a riskthat due to the correction of the single element to be corrected,another element to be corrected becomes serious. The projection lensbarrel 300 includes the correction mechanism on each of the lens groupsintended for the elements to be corrected, to thus be able to correctthe elements to be corrected effectively.

The above-described projection lens barrel 100 includes the correctionmechanism 39 on the second lens group 5 that is capable of effectivelycorrecting the field curvature. In general, in the lens optical system,the shorter the focal distance is, the more the field curvature islikely to occur in a projected image. However, like the projection lensbarrel 100, the correction mechanism 39 is provided on the second lensgroup 5 capable of correcting the field curvature thereby making itpossible to effectively correct the field curvature even when theprojection lens barrel 100 is configured to have short focus andwide-angle.

Although in the projection lens barrel 100, the second lens group 5 is alens group capable of effectively correcting the field curvature and thefifth lens group 8 is a lens group capable of effectively correcting theback focus, they are one example. That is, regarding on which lens groupthe correction mechanism is provided, the correction mechanism isappropriately provided on the lens group capable of effectivelycorrecting the intended element to be corrected according to theconfiguration and the characteristics of the projection lens barrel 100.

In the projection lens barrels 200 and 300 as well, the correctionmechanism (the correction mechanism 217 in the projection lens barrel200, the correction mechanism 39 in the projection lens barrel 300) isprovided on the lens group (the fifth lens group 208 in the projectionlens barrel 200, the third lens group 306 in the projection lens barrel300) that is capable of correcting the field curvature similarly,thereby making it possible to effectively correct the field curvaturethat is likely to occur when the projection lens barrels 200 and 300 areeach configured to have short focus and wide-angle.

In the projection lens barrel 200, the fifth lens group 208 is a lensgroup capable of effectively correcting the field curvature, and thefourth lens group 207 is a lens group capable of effectively correctingthe back focus. Further, in the projection lens barrel 300, the thirdlens group 306 is a lens group capable of effectively correcting thefield curvature, and the second lens group 305 is a lens group capableof effectively correcting the back focus. They are one example. That is,regarding on which lens group the correction mechanism is provided, thecorrection mechanism is appropriately provided on the lens group capableof effectively correcting the intended element to be corrected accordingto the configurations and the characteristics of the projection lensbarrels 200 and 300.

Although in the projection lens barrels 100, 200, and 300, the elementsto be corrected are set to the field curvature and the back focus, theelements to be corrected are not limited to these, and according to theoptical characteristics of the lens optical systems 2, 202, and 302,other elements to be corrected (spherical aberration, coma aberration,astigmatism, and distortion) can also be combined. The number ofcombinations of the elements to be corrected may be set to three ormore, and providing the correction mechanism on the lens groups capableof effectively correcting the respective elements to be correctedenables the effective correction.

The second lens group 5 illustrated in the projection lens barrel 100and the third lens group 306 illustrated in the projection lens barrel300 each may have two lenses of lens 50A and lens 50B disposed with aninterval (space S) apart from each other as illustrated in a schematicconfiguration in FIG. 6, and the lens optical systems 2 and 302 of theprojection lens barrels 100 and 300 each may be configured to form anintermediate image in the space S formed between the lens 50A and thelens 50B.

In FIG. 6, the number of lenses configuring the lens group is set totwo, but the number is not limited to two, and may be three or more. Theprojection lens barrels 100 and 300 each can be configured to form anintermediate image between the adjacent lenses with an interval providedtherebetween.

The second lens group 5 of the projection lens barrel 100 is a fieldcurvature correcting lens capable of correcting field curvature as wellas a lens group to be moved for performing focusing, and includes thecorrection mechanism 39 provided thereon. Further, the third lens group306 of the projection lens barrel 300 is also a field curvaturecorrecting lens capable of correcting field curvature as well as a lensgroup to be moved for performing focusing, and includes the correctionmechanism 39 provided thereon. That is, the projection lens barrels 100and 300 are each configured that the second lens group 5 (the projectionlens barrel 100) and the third lens group 306 (the projection lensbarrel 300), which are the lens group to be moved for performingfocusing, are set as the field curvature correcting lens group and aremoved by the correction mechanism 39.

The projection lens barrels 100 and 300 can effectively correct thefield curvature by setting the lens group that is moved for performingfocusing as the field curvature correcting lens group as above.

When it is configured that the lens group to be moved for performingfocusing is set as the field curvature correcting lens group and theintermediate image is formed between the lenses configuring the fieldcurvature correcting lens group, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the spacewhere the intermediate image is formed between the lenses is to bepreferably sealed. When there is dust in the space S, the dust sometimesadhere onto a lens surface. When the intermediate image is formed on thelens surfaces of the lenses forming the space S, the dust adhering ontothe lens surface sometimes burns, or the lens surface is sometimescontaminated by the burned dust. Further, the dust in the space S issometimes shown in a projected image on a screen.

Therefore, the space S is preferably sealed so as to prevent dust fromentering the space S. The configuration in which a periphery around theoptical axis X is surrounded by the second lens group holding frame 19and the periphery at the front and the periphery at the rear are closedby the lens 50A and the lens 50B is formed, and thereby the space S issealed.

The second lens group 5, which is the field curvature correcting lensgroup of the projection lens barrel 100, is disposed on a screen side,namely forward, with respect to the fourth lens group 7, which is theback focus correcting lens group.

In this manner, the second lens group 5, which is the field curvaturecorrecting lens group, is disposed at the front and the fourth lensgroup 7, which is the back focus correcting lens group, is disposed atthe rear, and thereby the effect of the correction by the second lensgroup 5 does not easily affect on a change in the back focus and theeffect of the correction by the fourth lens group 7 does not easilyaffect on a change in the field curvature.

The projection lens barrel 100 includes the correction mechanism 40provided on the fifth lens group 8 that is a lens group disposed on animage display element side with respect to a stop 43, namely rearward.Further, the projection lens barrel 200 includes the correctionmechanism 216 provided on the fourth lens group 207 that is a lens groupdisposed on an image display element side with respect to a stop 218,namely rearward, and further includes the correction mechanism 217provided on the fifth lens group 208 that is a lens group disposedrearward with respect to the stop 218 similarly.

The stops 43 and 218 block part of the light from the image displayelement. Therefore, the lens groups disposed rearward with respect tothe stops 43 and 218 are likely to be heated by the blocked light.Further, a light source unit and a control circuit installed inside thecasing 15 of the projection display device also generate heat inoperation. By the heating of these, the lens groups disposed rearwardwith respect to the stops 43 and 218 are likely to change in opticalcharacteristics. Therefore, in the projection lens barrel 100, thecorrection mechanism 40 is provided on the fifth lens group 8 that is alens group disposed rearward with respect to the stop 43, thereby makingit possible to correct the changes in optical characteristics of thefifth lens group 8. This correction makes it possible to suppresschanges in optical performance of the entire lens optical system 2 andreduce image quality deterioration of a projected image. Further, in theprojection lens barrel 200, the correction mechanism 216 is provided onthe fourth lens group 207 that is a lens group disposed rearward withrespect to the stop 218, and additionally, the correction mechanism 217is provided on the fifth lens group 208, thereby making it possible tocorrect the changes in optical characteristics of the fourth lens group207 and the fifth lens group 208. This correction makes it possible tosuppress changes in optical performance of the entire lens opticalsystem 202 and reduce image quality deterioration of a projected image.

Further, the projection lens barrel 200 includes the correctionmechanism 216 provided on the fourth lens group 207 adjacent to the stop218. The fourth lens group 207 is the closest to the stop 218 of thelens groups disposed rearward with respect to the stop 218, to thus bemost affected by the heat effect of the heated stop 218, resulting inthat the optical characteristics are likely to change extremely.Accordingly, providing the correction mechanism 216 on the fourth lensgroup 207 adjacent to the stop 218 makes it possible to correct thechanges in optical characteristics of the fourth lens group 207. Thiscorrection makes it possible to suppress changes in optical performanceof the entire lens optical system 202 and reduce image qualitydeterioration of a projected image.

The stop 43 of the projection lens barrel 100 is disposed inside thecasing 15 of the not-illustrated projection display device. The insideof the casing 15 is likely to be high in temperature due to heatgeneration of the light source unit, the control circuit themselves,light from the image display element, and heating of the stop 43.Therefore, when the stop 43 is disposed inside the casing 15, thecorrection mechanism 40 is provided on the fifth lens group 8, which isa lens group located rearward with respect to the stop 43, therebymaking it possible to correct the changes in optical characteristics ofthe fifth lens group 8. This correction makes it possible to suppresschanges in optical performance of the entire lens optical system 2 andreduce image quality deterioration of a projected image.

Further, the stop 218 of the projection lens barrel 200 is also disposedinside the casing 15 of the not-illustrated projection display device.Therefore, when the stop 218 is disposed inside the casing 15, thecorrection mechanism 216 is provided on the fourth lens group 207, whichis a lens group located rearward with respect to the stop 218, and thecorrection mechanism 217 is provided on the fifth lens group 208,thereby making it possible to correct the changes in opticalcharacteristics of the fourth lens group 207 and the fifth lens group208. This correction makes it possible to suppress changes in opticalperformance of the entire lens optical system 202 and reduce imagequality deterioration of a projected image.

The projection lens barrel 100 includes the correction mechanism 39provided on the second lens group 5, which is disposed on a screen sidewith respect to the third lens group 6 adjacent to the stop 43, namelyforward, outside the casing 15. The inside of the casing 15 is noteasily affected by external temperature changes because of heatshielding of the casing 15, to thus facilitate prediction of thetemperature of the casing 15 when the projection display device is usedand facilitate also prediction of the changes in opticalcharacteristics. Therefore, the lens optical system 2 disposed insidethe casing 15 is optically designed so as to have opticalcharacteristics according to the predicted temperature, thereby makingit possible to reduce image quality deterioration of a projected imagein some cases. In contrast to this, the second lens group 5 disposedacross the third lens group 6 from the stop 43 outside the casing 15easily follows the temperature changes outside the casing 15, resultingin difficulty in predicting the changes in optical characteristics.Accordingly, providing the correction mechanism 39 on the second lensgroup 5 makes it possible to correct the optical characteristics of theentire lens optical system 2 according to the temperature changesoutside the casing 15.

The projection lens barrel 300 includes the correction mechanism 312provided on the second lens group 305, which is disposed on a screenside with respect to the fourth lens group 307 adjacent to the stop 313,namely forward, outside the casing 15, and further includes thecorrection mechanism 39 provided on the third lens group 306. Providingthe correction mechanisms 312 and 39 on the second lens group 305 andthe third lens group 306 disposed outside the casing 15 as above makesit possible to correct the optical characteristics of the entire lensoptical system 302 according to the temperature changes outside thecasing 15.

1. A projection lens barrel, comprising. a lens optical system thatcauses light from an image display element to form a projected image ona screen; and a correction mechanism which moves each of at least two ormore lens groups along an optical axis, the lens groups each havingdifferent optical characteristics to be corrected, and which correctsoptical characteristics to be corrected in order to suppress reductionin image quality of the projected image caused by opticalcharacteristics change caused as a result of temperature change in theprojection lens barrel.
 2. The projection lens barrel according to claim1, wherein out of the two or more lens groups having the correctionmechanism, at least the one lens group is a back focus correcting lensgroup capable of correcting back focus as the optical characteristics tobe corrected, and the other at least one lens group is a field curvaturecorrecting lens group capable of correcting field curvature as theoptical characteristics to be corrected.
 3. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 2, wherein a lens group moved for focusing is thefield curvature correcting lens group.
 4. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 2, wherein the field curvature correcting lens groupis disposed on screen side with respect to the back focus correctinglens group.
 5. The projection lens barrel according to claim 1, whereinthe correction mechanism is provided on at least one lens group out oflens groups disposed on an image display element side with respect to astop of the projection lens barrel.
 6. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 5, wherein at least the one lens group out of lensgroups disposed on an image display element side with respect to a stopof the projection lens barrel is a lens group adjacent to the stop. 7.The projection lens barrel according to claim 5, wherein the stop isdisposed inside a casing of a projection display device to which theprojection lens barrel is attached
 8. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 1, wherein out of the correction mechanisms, at leastthe one correction chanism is provided on a lens group that is disposedon a place which is a screen side with respect to a lens group adjacentto a stop of the projection lens barrel on the screen side, and theplace which is outside of a casing of a projection display device towhich the projection lens barrel is attached.
 9. (canceled)
 10. Theprojection lens barrel according to claim 3, wherein the field curvaturecorrecting lens group is disposed on a screen side with respect to theback focus correcting lens group.
 11. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 2, wherein the correction mechanism is provided on atleast one lens group out of lens groups disposed on an image displayelement side with respect to a stop of the projection lens barrel. 12.The projection lens barrel according to claim 6, wherein the stop isdisposed inside a casing of a projection display device to which theprojection lens barrel is attached
 13. The projection lens barrelaccording to claim 2, wherein out of the correction mechanisms, at leastthe one correction mechanism is provided on a lens group that isdisposed on a place which is a screen side with respect to a lens groupadjacent to a stop of the projection lens barrel on the screen side, andthe place which is outside of a casing of a projection display device towhich the projection lens barrel is attached.
 14. A projection displaydevice comprising the projection lens barrel according to claim 1.